Panthers rookie Barkov out with lower-body injury

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Florida Panthers rookie center Aleksander Barkov has been ruled out after sustaining a lower-body injury against the Buffalo Sabres.

The Panthers announced the news early in the second period of their game on Tuesday night. It's unclear when Barkov was hurt or the severity of the injury. He did have an assist on Sean Bergenheim's goal late in the first period that tied the game at 2.

Barkov was selected with the No. 2 pick in the draft last summer. He entered the game with a team-leading 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists), which ranked ninth among NHL rookies.

Earlier this month, the 18-year-old was selected to play for Finland at the Winter Games in Sochi.